Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford could help the Lions in Week 18

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/26/23

Matthew Stafford is nearing the end of his third season with the Los Angeles Rams but is still the Detroit Lions' all-time leader in nearly all of the team's notable quarterback statistics. Among them are wins (74), completions (3,898), passing yards (45,109), touchdowns (289), fourth quarter comebacks (31) and game-winning drives (38).

The former No. 1 overall pick also led the Lions to the playoffs three times during his 12 seasons with the franchise from 2009-20, including the group's most recent postseason appearance in 2016. Stafford has a shot at helping his old team one more time this winter, albeit from roughly 2,000 miles away.

And yes, Matthew Stafford could be the man Detroit needs in Week 18 to help them secure the 1 seed. https://t.co/4AQQH3XWg0
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) December 26, 2023

Of course, the 35-year-old signal-caller is primarily focused on keeping his Rams in the NFC playoff picture.

Stafford continued his big turnaround 2023 campaign in the team's Week 16 victory against the New Orleans Saints, going 24-for-34 for 328 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, good for a 120.7 quarterback rating.

The performance was the one-time Pro Bowler's third in the last five games with a completion percentage of over 70%, it was his second-highest passing yardage total of the year (most since Week 1) and second-highest quarterback rating of the campaign. The effort was Stafford's fourth consecutive game without an interception and his fifth straight with at least two touchdown passes, giving him a 14:1 ratio since Week 12.

The former AP Comeback Player of the Year award winner (and possible 2023 contender for the hardware) has Los Angeles at 8-7 and in second place in the NFC West. While the Rams can't overtake the San Francisco 49ers for the division crown, Stafford's squad would hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs if the season ended today and they have a 67% chance playoff probability, per NFL.com's playoff picture.

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